The Estêvão thread: Goals, Stats, Videos, News and more

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ASHOOR

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I have done dedicated threads to Neymar, Vinicius and Endrick in the last few years, great Brazilian names that deserve special coverage. And while these names have done a lot for themselves, club and the NT, they are yet to deliver the ultimate glory, which is to win the World Cup for Brazil. To be fair to all 3, Neymar has only played in 3 WCs so far (compare that to Messi and CR7 who has each played in 5 so far) and has had an injury in each one of them. Vinicius has only played in one world cup so far and is still young enough to play another 1 or 2. Endrick is only 19 and has just emerged on the scene last 2 years.

Then there is Estêvão!

Born in 24 April 2007, and having just moved to Chelsea, he is the best talent to come out of Brazil last few years and some think he is better than Endrick, although the two play in slightly different positions. In fact, just in the last few weeks, he has already done the following, at just 18 years old:

  • Scored for Brazil in his first start (in yesterday's WCQ game against Chile)
  • In that same game, he was Man of the Match
  • He scored a goal for Chelsea in his first start
  • He got Man of the Match in his first 2 games for Chelsea
  • Youngest to score for Brazil on his first start, since Pele at 17 years old in 1958

With all of this, the media and fans are trying to create a new football rivalry: Estevao vs. Yamal, both at 18, with the latter being one of the top players in Spain at the moment.

At 18, the sky may be the limit for him, but I will watch him carefully and see what he does. At just 19 next year and if all goes according to plan, he will become the youngest Brazilian on a WC roster since Ronaldo's 1994 WC when he was just 17 but never played any minutes. I have always thought that playing your first world cup at 18 or 19 gives you a long trajectory to play min of 3-4 WCs, assuming all goes according to plan, just like has been the case with Messi and CR7. Of course, Neymar wasn't so lucky, where he could have played in his first WC at age 18 in 2010, but Dunga being the stubborn coach he is, wasn't going to let that happen.

Mark this thread, because if not in 2026, Estavao may very well be the player that brings the WC back to Brazil in 2030, where he will still only be 23 years old....



ASHOOR
 
With Estivao quickly establishing himself not only at Chelsea but the EPL and Europe as a whole, sooner or later, the CR7 vs. Messi debate will be replaced with Yamal vs. Estivao, though in this case it is not a perfect comparison since they are in different leagues. One such comparison was the one below, which was posted on Arabic from a reputable analyst and I provided a translation. I agree fof the most on the points presented here, though not to say these points of strength don’t overlap. Ironically, this debate is more fair than CR7 vs. Messi or even the one we were hoping to get just one year ago or so: Endrick vs. Yamal. Why? Because with Estivao vs. Yamal , you have two players in a similar position. ——————————————————-

Yamal vs. Estêvão

Lamine Yamal and Estêvão Willian represent different facets of elite wing play. Yamal is the architect, clearly superior in decision-making, vision, and maturity; he possesses the "Barcelona DNA" that blends high-level technical skill with exceptional tactical awareness, making him a reliable, team-oriented chance creator who rarely forces play.

Conversely, Estêvão is the individual dynamo, superior in raw explosiveness and unpredictability; he has that electric, Neymar-esque burst and agility, making him a greater threat to immediately dominate one-on-one duels and completely disorganize defenses with his direct, individual brilliance.
 
Estevao scored in both gams for Brazil this week, including against Senegal, and Tunisia from a penalty.
He has now scored five goals in five starts for the NT (total of 11 played for Brazil)

He is the youngest to reach 5 goals with Brazil, with only Pele being younger at 17!


ASHOOR
 
It is official and our worst nightmare have come true:

I just read now that it Estevao will not play at the world cup due to his recent injury will require surgery and being sidelined for months. . Really sad news.... :mad::confused:

This got me thinking: for a country like Brazil with so much talent, and only one to have never missed the world cup, the number of 19 year old or younger players who have played for Brazil at the world cup is pretty small.

I did some research and other than 17 year old Pele in 1958, there is less than 5 players who played for Brazil at the WC at 19 years old or younger. Ronaldo in 1994 was 17 but even he, got zero minutes (thanks CAP for such flawed thinking) . There are some names from the 50/60s, but not much else.

Argentina on the other hand, and despite having played in fewer WCs, has had more 19 year old or younger players playing at the World Cup. For Brazil, if it is not a coach being stubborn and not trusting younger players, it is the injury that will get them. In this case and ironically, we finally got a non-Brazilian coach who was finally going to play a 19 year old, only for this 19 year old gem to get injured.... of course, we all remember 18 year old Neymar being left out in 2010 by Dunga. Was there also a case for 19 year old Romario to play at the 1986 world cup? BTW, I won't mention Endrick because there is still no 100% certainty he will be selected.....


ASHOOR
 
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